The Waiting Room Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Julia is a very beautiful, not pretty girl much like he mother’s family the Mc Cloud’s from Elsternwick in Melbourne. She had thick dark brown hair and a noble nose, average height and a delightful figure considering her 4 children. Julia the eldest girl was always on my side and took care of me.

Now Dad what is this all about?

I don’t know I confessed. This chap called Colin Heathcote from some Lawyers office in Sydney wants to do my family tree to see if I am in a particular line from our Scottish ancestors. He said if I am I stood to gain if I am.

Julia, really excited confused said have you told Ronald?

Not yet he has been out all this afternoon but I have a message with Mandy to ask him to call by this afternoon. This Mr Heathcote is staying here for a few days.

Where is he staying? Julia was quick to ask.

Don’t know, I should have asked, but it all happened so quickly.

Then the doorway was filled by the large frame of Ronald.

Hello sis.

Hi Dad, now what is this all about?

I began to tell the story all over again, it was a very lame story I began to realise as I told it for the third or forth time.

Ronald, the eldest was always on a mission. He had a great record in the sporting world. His time at the Australian National University was well spent in getting a degree in Management.

Sport had produced a large strong lean body with a good looking face and a head of blond hair. Though he was the idle of many a heart in his early years he only ever had eyes for Kate.

Kate Trengrove was always his girl and she loved him dearly they are a good match the fifth child is on the way. 

Dad I have a meeting tonight but I will find out who this bloke is and get back to you and Mum. See you Julia and he was gone.

I tried to stop him and let him know that Mum need not worry about this until we have more information but as usual he was on a mission.

Ronald was perhaps my favourite child but sometimes he was rash and paid dearly for his rashness. Still he was a likeable business man and held in high in our community.

Julia said, goodbye Dad with a little kiss, I’ll have to get home the kids will be waiting. Bill will be home but he is a builder and definitely not a mother.

Next thing I am alone again and still nothing to tell Ann and Jack.

By this time the dinner bell was rung and all the guests were coming to the dinning room in dribs and drabs.

We three, plus Jack had brought a friend; Jeff, sat and prepared for dinner.

Jack introduced Jeff and a hand came over from Jeff to meet mine in a clench then a firm shake, Glad to meet you George, Jack has been telling me you had a very mysterious visitor today. Hope you are enjoying your stay with us. Jeff gave the impression that I was his guest.

Yes I am enjoying my stay here and yes I did have a visitor today and no I am not going to talk about it until I know more. Hello Jeff.

With my demure in low gear the meal was a quiet affair. After Coffee or tea we all decided an early night was a good idea.

I learnt Jeff was a Hadley and his family came from northern Victoria many years ago. They had moved into NSW some 90 years before and took up land in a ballot much the same as my family. They had lived in and around Condobolin. Jeff moved here some 5 moths ago. I guess I will learn more in future, there is not much to speak about except our families and where we lived, at this place.